The Wandering Jew — Volume 08 eBook

his defeat gayly enough. Thus, to give an idea
of the differences of the count and Adrienne, before,
as he would say laughingly, he had made himself her
accomplice, he had always opposed (from other motives
than those alleged by Madame de Saint-Dizier) Adrienne’s
wish to live alone and in her own way; whilst Rodin,
on the contrary, by investing the young girl’s
resolve on this subject with an ideal grandeur of intention,
had acquired a species of influence over her.
M. de Montbron, now upwards of sixty years of age,
had been a most prominent character during the Directory,
Consulate, and the Empire. His prodigal style
of living, his wit, his gayety, his duels, his amours,
and his losses at play, had given him a leading influence
in the best society of his day; while his character,
his kind-heartedness, and liberality, secured him the
lasting friendship of nearly all his female friends.
At the time we now present him to the reader, he was
still a great gambler; and, moreover, a very lucky
gambler. He had, as we have stated, a very lordly
style; his manners were decided, but polished and
lively; his habits were such as belong to the higher
classes of society, though he could be excessively
sharp towards people whom he did not like. He
was tall and thin, and his slim figure gave him an
almost youthful appearance; his forehead was high,
and a little bald; his hair was gray and short, his
countenance long, his nose aquiline, his eyes blue
and piercing, and his teeth white, and still very
good.

“The Count de Montbron,” said Georgette,
opening the door. The count entered, and hastened
to kiss Adrienne’s hand, with a sort of paternal
familiarity.

“Come!” said M. de Montbron to himself;
“let us try to discover the truth I am in search
of, that we may escape a great misfortune.”

CHAPTER VIII.

Theconfession.

Mdlle. de Cardoville, not wishing to betray the cause
of the violent feelings which agitated her, received
M. de Montbron with a feigned and forced gayety.
On the other hand, notwithstanding his tact and knowledge
of the world, the count was much embarrassed how to
enter upon the subject on which he wished to confer
with Adrienne, and he resolved to feel his way, before
seriously commencing the conversation. After looking
at the young lady for some seconds, M. de Montbron
shook his head, and said, with a sigh of regret:
“My dear child, I am not pleased.”

“Some affair of the heart, or of hearts, my
dear count?” returned Adrienne, smiling.

“Of the heart,” said M. de Montbron.

“What! you, so great a player, think more of
a woman’s whim than a throw of the dice?”

“I have a heavy heart, and you are the cause
of it, my dear child.”

“M. de Montbron, you will make me very proud,”
said Adrienne, with a smile.

“You would be wrong, for I tell you plainly,
my trouble is caused by your neglect of your beauty.
Yes, your countenance is pale, dejected, sorrowful;
you have been low-spirited for the last few days; you
have something on your mind, I am sure of it.”